Handwheel and yoke sleeve combination



Sept. 29, 1942. R. FENNEMA HANDWHEEL AND YOKE SLEEVE COMBINATION Filed July 2, 1941 Patented Sept. 29, 1942 HANDWHEEL AND YOKE SLEEVE COMBINATION Richard Fennema', Chicago, Ill., assignor to Crane Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application July 2, 1941, Serial No. 400,753

Claims.

Y This invention relates to a new land improved handwheel and yoke sleeve combination for valves and has for one of its principal objects the provision of a novel form of thrust bearing easily renewable and operating between a conventional valve handwheel or the like and the yoke sleeve and the yoke proper.

An important object of this invention is to provide a relatively cheap and economical bearing for the usual high wheel torque attendant the opening and closing of valves.

A further important object of this invention is to provide in this type of construction a simple and durable handwheel and yoke sleeve combination and thrust bearing therefor which is equally as efficient in its operation as structures vastly more expensive.

Other and further important objects will be apparent from the Idisclosures in the accompanying drawing and following specification.

The invention in a preferred form is shown in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional assembly view of the device of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan elevation of the split bearing ring embodying the invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View of a modification of the device.

As shown in the dra-wing and referring to Fig. l, the reference numeral I indicates generally the yoke of a valve or the like of the type having a rising and non-turning stem 2. An internally threaded yoke sleeve 3 for threaded engagement with the stem 2 is preferably, but not necessarily,

is tted the split bearing ring II better shown inl detail in Fig. 2. This ring II is preferably made an. integral part of the handwheel 4. The yoke I in a plurality of sections in order to facilitate its I assembly within the groove 9 after which it is tack welded, or otherwise connected as indicated at I2 and I3.

In operation of the assembly, the handwheel -4 is rotated, say in a clockwise direction, causing :a similar rotation of the integral yoke sleeve 3 and a raising of the stem 2. It is customary to employ this type of opening and closing control par- (Cl. 'Z4-424.8)

ticularly on wedge gate .valves which require a great amount of torque to lift because of their wedging characteristics. It will be readily seen, however, that this type of bearing can be applied to any type valve whether it be gate or globe. The thrust load occasioned by the lifting of the valve from its seat will be distributed through the yoke regardless of the connection or the type of Ibearing used. In my construction the ring II transmits the li-fting load to the bearing ring 8 which immediately transfers it to the yoke proper. Therefore the entire end thrust load borne by the stem is carried between the two comparatively small friction bearing rings 8 and I I.

As a result of the use of these .bearing rings, the handwheel 4 and the yoke sleeve 3 may preferably be :cast in one piece in a relatively cheap material such as malleable iron. Heretofore it was necessary to make the entire yoke sleeve of la high quality bronze, steel, or nickel alloy, realizing the necessity of its being capable of absorbing high thrust loads. It is thus apparent that the efciency of more expensive bearings is reproduced in this simple, economical and easily renewable multi-ring friction .bearing construction.

I'he modication of the device as set forth in Fig. 3 similarly shows `a fragmentary assembly portion of a yoke sleeve I4, a bearing ring I6 similar to the bearing ring 8 and a split bearing ring Il corresponding to the split ring l I of Figs. 1 and 2. In the presently described arrangement, however, the outer circumference of the ring I'I is provided with an annular groove I8. A pressfitted retainer ring I9 of L shaped cross-section is applied over the two sections o-f the split ring I1 and thus the retainer ring I9 performs a function similar to that of the -previously described tack welding in that the ring is made unitary by both methods. In order to assure of the ring I9 remaining in a press-fitted relationship with the split ring I1, it is .preferable that indentations 2| are provided at certain points around the ,periphery opposite the groove I8 whereby the projections obtained by indenting the outer periphery of the ring I9 fit into the groove I8 preventing removal of the ring I9 from the split ring I'I. Obviously, these indentations 2I and the resultant projections of the ring I9 are not necessarily limited to spaced points but can be made annularly continuous, if desired.

The torque required to turn the handwheel in a valve using this type of construction is greatly reduced. By actual test it has been proven that the thrust is substantially concentrated at the location of contact of the bearing rings 1, IIl Ijl and I1. Replacement of the expensive hardened steel yoke sleeves and of the yoke itself by a softer, less expensive material in -combination with the small bearing rings contributes substantially to cost reduction. Previously any eiiorts to incorporate Ibearings ina similar location in valve actuating means resulted in complex structures and the use of costly ball or roller bearings with their accompanying appurtenances.

It is apparent that my friction bearing is the utmost in simplicity fand economy and that it 'is a new departure from all yoke constructions heretofore known to the Valve art.

I am aware that numerous details of construction can be Varied throughout a wide range 'withi out departing from the principles inconporatedin this specification and as determined by the appended claims. l

I claim:

1. Actuating means for a valve or the like having a yoke and a rising' non-turning threaded stem, comprising a handwheel 'and a .yoke sleeve threadedly `engaging said stem, theV said yoke sleeve having an external' annular Agroove therearound, a Vseparable multi-piece. ring substantial- -ly thicker than theY depth of 'the groove and placed in the groove with a portion projecting therefrom, means for holding the 'said .multipie'ce ring in xed assembled relation Within the said groove, the said Yyoke. having an upper annular hub section with a lower annular portion, whereby the projecting portion of the said multipiece ring coacts withthe lower :annular portion to distribute the stress Yload `from the stem to the yoke; l

2. Actua-ting means for Ya valve or ther-like having a yoke and a rising non-turning threaded stern,V comprising an integralV 'handwheel and yoke sleeve threadedly engaging said stemfthe said yoke sleeve having an external annular slot i'lherearoi-m'd,V a two-piece ring 'thicker than the depth of the slot and placedin the slot land with an `*annular portion projecting therefrom, means for making said two-piece 'ring unitary,-the 'said 4yoke having an upper yannular section hav-ing lan sleeve having an external annular groove there-V piece ring unitary being a relatively close-fitted retainer ring having projections extending therefrom into the annular groove in the said two- 'pec'e irill'g.

4. Actuating means for a valve having a yoke andV a rising non-turning threaded stem, comprising fan integral handwheel and yoke sleeve of l relatively soft material threadedly engaging said stem, the said yoke sleeve having an external annular'slot' therearound, a Itwo-piece ring of relatively hard 'n'iaterial rand of a thickness greater than the depth of the 'annular 'slot in the yoke `sleeve 'and' placed in 'said `slot and having a portion projecting therefrom, means vfor making said two-piece ring unitary, the said yoke having an upper annular section having an internal annular cutaway portion, a solid ring of relatively hard material removably Ymounted therein, 'the vprojection of the said two-,piece ring coacting with the said solid ring in the yoke to distribute the load stress from 'the stem to the yoke, Weld vmeans vfor mak-ing 'the said two-'piece ring 'unitary, whereby the -r'ings of relatively hard material carry the entire longitudinal load in seating the said valve.

5. Actuating means for a valve having va yoke and a rising non-turning threaded ster-n, comprising an integr-al handwh'eel and yoke sleeve of relatively soft material threadedly engaging said stem, the said yoke sleeve having an external annular slot therearound, a two-piece ring of relatively hard material'having an external annular groove, the two-piece ring being thicker than the depth of the annular slot in the said yoke sleeve and placed in said annular slot, means for 1making saidY two-piece ring unitary, the said yoke having anupper annular section having an internal annular cutaway portion, a ring of relatively hard material removably mounted therein,

Ysaid 'means for Ymaking the said two-piece ring unitary being an annular retainer ring with projections punched from the said annular ring into the annular groove in the two-piece ring, wherebythe rings 'of relatively hard material distribute the stress load from the stem to the yoke.

RICHARD FENNEMA. 

